Unhappy with putting, Woods only 5 strokes back

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods is lurking. He hasn't doesn't much yet at the Masters, but he remains solidly in the hunt. A round of 71 Friday left Woods at 1 under par, five shots back.

"Well, I'm in contention, so it is a good spot, I guess," Woods said. "I'm only five back. As unpredictable as it has been all week, we'll see how it is [Saturday]."

Woods said he swung the club well but couldn't convert enough with his putter.

"I probably missed about four putts that I probably should have made," he said.

Northwestern connection

Luke Donald had it going for a while Friday but couldn't close it, finishing with a 72. At 2 over, he is eight shots out of the lead.

Wildcats senior Dillon Dougherty missed the cut at 16 over, but a 78 was an improvement over the 82 he shot Thursday. Dougherty impressed playing partner Gary Player, who gave him a lesson after the round.

"He has a lot of talent and ability," Player said.

Consolation prize

The shot came one year too late for Chris DiMarco. Friday, he made an eagle on the par-4 18th hole, draining a 6-iron from 177 yards. He could have used that eagle last year when he lost in a playoff on the 18th hole to Woods.

"It just wasn't meant to be," DiMarco said of 2005.

DiMarco never gave himself a chance this year. He shot a 74, missing the cut at 6 over.

Relief

With the par-3 fourth playing into the wind, officials gave the players a break and moved up the tees from the posted 240 yards. The players took advantage, playing the hole in an average score of 3.1, the 11th toughest on the course.

"It was surprisingly easy," Ernie Els said. "I hit a 7-iron in there, so it was fine."

The revamped 11th wasn't easy. Playing back at 505 yards, the par 4 had an average score of 4.533, the toughest on the course.

Bye-bye

The cut line was at 4 over. Among those missing the cut were Colin Montgomerie, Michael Campbell, David Toms, Tom Lehman and John Daly.